Reblogged from A Teacher’s Reflections:
I don’t think people know who my hero is. I doubt my own children even know; they would say my it’s my grandmother, Nan. And, so would most people close to me. Nan was the best grandmother, and what I learned from her shaped my character, taught me far more than even she ever realized about reading and art. She was strong and kind, and she always inspired me. She touched every part of my life. Nan was a superhero.
There are heroes, and there are superheroes. Just ask any 8-year-old. A superhero makes a difference to everything in your life, like Nan. A hero is someone who touches your life in a very specific way.
Heroes inspire me, because then I become a better teacher. There is one person, a teacher in Baltimore long ago, whose teaching made me stop and realize what’s really important. When I read her story, I felt like I was walking in her footsteps. Well, I felt like those were the footsteps I had to walk in. I wanted to be just like her. I needed to be just like her. My throat still closes and my heart pounds when I read her simple story. It is in the original Chicken Soup for the Soul book, published in 1993:
Continue reading at A Teacher’s Reflections
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
TEACHERS WHO FOLLOWED THROUGH AND WERE POSITIVE INFLUENCES DESPITE THE MANIPULATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ARE MY HEROES!
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Thank you, Jonathan! What grade did you teach?
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I was certified to teach Biology-General Science, for Junior-Middle-Senior High, in New York State. Was never hired full-time in Public School, but ended up in a private school and gradually moved into personal care as a house dean.
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Sounds like you have had a great career. I teach preschool, and feel that giving children a positive start is the most important thing I can do. Reading aloud, music and the arts is what young children need most. Best to you, Jonathan.
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Thanks. To be brutally honest, I didn’t last long as a public school teacher. but have found opportunity in other jobs to help out, involving some form of tutoring—and writing poetry.
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That sounds wonderful.
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Well…yes, it is!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
AS A FORMER TEACHER, I APPLAUD THIS POST!!
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Thank you, Jonathan! What grade did you teach?
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As a substitute teacher…all of ’em! in both Public and Catholic schools. But certified—and most comfortable in Junior-Senior High Science, English and History.
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Wow! That’s a full plate. How rewarding.
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A plate served in many courses over many years! 😀 I didn’t stay in teaching, but have in over more recent years done volunteer tutoring for fellow security officers, but now that’s done—got disabled and went on disability two years ago. Will do whatever I have the opportunity for helping–a lifetime emphasis.
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There are lifetime teachers, and they are often far more influential and important than those in the classroom. One such teacher is a crossing guard in upstate New York. He is amazing, and I feel certain his Crossing Guard Chronicles will make your day. They sure make mine! srbottch.com. His name is Steve. Tell him Jennie says Hi.
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Upstate NY-? I grew up in Binghamton, NY and the wife was an Adirondack mountain girl born and raised! I’ll go to the Reader now!
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Great!
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So…where Upstate does Steve hail from?
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I don’t know that off the top of my head. If you comment on his post and ask him, I’m sure he will tell you. That would be wonderful for you both to connect on upstate NY, as well as teaching.
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I asked him–Rochester, NY–kind of Upstate—out west! But HE spent time growing up in Worcester, MA and Cape Cod! We’ve found connections!
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Great story…
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Thank you for posting #2, Sue!
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My pleasure, Jennie.
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